As I’m looking forward to attending the University of South Carolina in the fall, I am also taking the last two weeks before graduation to look back at my last four years at Prosper High School. As excited as I am for the next chapter of my life, saying bye to PHS will be bittersweet. Things like Eagle Nation Online, my friends, family and teachers will make leaving hard for me, as much as I don’t want to admit it.

Eagle Nation Online & photography

Walking into photojournalism class my freshman year, I was greeted by just another teacher (or so I thought,) but she ended up pretty much changing my life. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, every assignment I had turned in for photojournalism ended up with a note from Mrs. Roskens saying I should consider joining Eagle Nation Online, or ENO, for my sophomore year.

I joined the newspaper team for my sophomore year, and I really fell in love with photography. Despite pandemic restrictions, I covered football, basketball and other sports, and that is when I knew I wanted to continue on that path for at least the rest of high school. I was named assistant photo editor, and in my junior year, I was named sports editor due to my extensive coverage of games and athletes the year prior.

During my senior year, I was honored to serve as the Chief Operating Officer, and I am so thankful to have had this experience alongside my team, led by the best and most caring adviser.

Family

I am so thankful for my family, and I would not have been able to accomplish half of what I have without them. My parents are my biggest supporters, and my brother, only being a year older than me, has been an amazing role model. If I have any advice for underclassmen, it would be to sometimes take a night in and spend time with your parents. For many going to college, high school is the last time you’ll ever live with your parents. Although it is so important to go to social events and spend time with friends, never take your family for granted.

Friends

When I look back on the past four years, most of my favorite memories were with my best friends. From having our parents drop us off at a movie during freshman year, to driving around ourselves for hours during senior year, I’ve been so lucky to do it with the same people, but also meet new people who are just as influential as the people I’ve known for years.

It’s commonly said that your friends change so much from freshman to senior year, and I agree with this, but it’s not always a bad thing. As people grow up, they change, and there’s nothing wrong with it. Friends will change, and drama will happen, but nothing is as big of a deal as it may seem in the moment, and that’s something I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older — true friends will stick by you.

Looking forward

In about two months, I’ll be getting ready to move halfway across the country for college, which will be a big change, but one I’m excited for. I will be attending the University of South Carolina and majoring in business and finance, and I couldn’t be more excited to start a new chapter in my life.

Signing off,
Neena